Ann Murphree Chenault

Joann Murphree Chenault was born in Oak Cliff, Texas, on November 24, 1934, to Rosella Lane Goodman and John Milford Goodman. Raised alongside her two sisters by loving parents who instilled values of kindness, compassion, honesty, and respect, Ann carried these core values as her compass throughout her entire life.

As a child, Ann sang in the Texas Children’s Choir and attended Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church. She often spoke fondly of her childhood memories of playing in beautiful Herndon Park, directly across the street from where she grew up. At Adamson High School, she met her first love, Benton Gene Murphree.

Ann and Gene were married and lovingly raised their own family in Duncanville, Texas. Ann was a devoted housewife and mother who attended the First Methodist Church in Duncanville. Music was the heartbeat of her home; whether she was singing or playing the piano during family holidays and reunions, she ensured her children grew up with a deep appreciation for the arts. Ann was very encouraging and supportive of her children’s school activities and was active in the Duncanville Jaycee-ettes, High Hats, and Band Boosters.

Beyond her professional success, Ann was a woman of spirited energy—a skilled slalom water skier who cherished long summer weekends spent camping and boating on Dallas area lakes with family and friends. She was employed at Duncanville Pharmacy before becoming a well-known Realtor in both Duncanville and Gun Barrel City, Texas.

Despite her successes, Ann didn’t care much for material things and was happiest when she had her family around her. She was interested in the life of each and every one of her family members, and nothing brought her more pleasure than their time together. Ann also deeply cared for animals, a compassion that can be traced through the many cherished companions she provided care for throughout her lifetime. A lifelong reader, one of her most treasured books was The Kentuckians by Janice Holt Giles, and one of her favorite movies was “The Sound of Music”.

In 1991, Ann and Gene realized their lifelong dream when they moved to Cedar Creek Lake to enjoy retirement on the waterfront. Though she faced the heartbreak of losing Gene after 44 years of marriage in 1994, love prevailed once more. Ann was remarried two years later to Harold Lynn Chenault. Together, they lived a storybook life, occasionally traveling to Kentucky, South Carolina, and Hawaii until Harold’s passing in 2006.

Following Harold's passing, Ann’s fierce independence was on full display as she fought to live in her home as long as she could despite mounting health challenges. In 2023, following emergency surgery, she faced her final journey with the same strength and faith that defined her life. She now rests in everlasting peace, rejoined with the loved ones who went before her.

Ann particularly liked a sermon-style poem by James Weldon Johnson called Go Down Death, finding peace in the words: “Weep not, weep not. She is not dead: She’s resting in the bosom of Jesus”.

Ann’s final wishes for cremation are being honored by her family. Joann Goodman Murphree Chenault was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Laura Kelly and Virginia Cotton; her first husband, Gene Murphree; her daughters, Cathy Ann and Cynthia Ann; and her second husband, Harold Chenault.

Her memory will be forever cherished by her daughter, Connie Murphree Bilger and husband Barry; her son, David Murphree and wife Linda; her son, John Murphree and his wife Fastie; her six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many other much beloved family and friends.

The family has honored Ann’s life through private services. In recognition of the challenges Ann faced, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be directed to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) at iffgd.org to support research for digestive diseases.